Burundi

Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It lies in the Great Rift Valley where the African Great Lakes region meets Southeast Africa. Burundi shares borders with Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and southeast, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, with Lake Tanganyika along its southwestern edge. The country has a population of over 14 million people.

For hundreds of years, the Twa, Hutu, and Tutsi peoples have called Burundi home. Once an independent kingdom, Burundi became part of German East Africa in 1885. After Germany's defeat in the First World War, it was placed under Belgian control. Burundi finally gained independence in 1962.

Despite changes to its government in the early 1990s, Burundi faced a long and difficult time. Today, the country continues to work toward peace and development. Burundi is one of the smallest and poorest countries in Africa, with many people living in rural areas and relying on farming. The country's official languages are Kirundi, French, and English.

Etymology

Burundi gets its name from an old kingdom that started in the 16th century. During colonial times, the capital was called Usumbura. It was renamed Bujumbura when Burundi became independent in 1962.

History

Main articles: History of Burundi and Ruanda-Urundi

Burundi has a long and interesting history. It is one of the few African countries that kept its pre-colonial state, much like its neighbor Rwanda. The early people of Burundi were the Twa, Hutu, and Tutsi ethnic groups.

The Kingdom of Burundi started in the late 16th century in the Rift Valley. It was ruled by a king called the mwami. The Tutsi royalty had most of the power. Later, the Belgians took control during the colonial time.

Burundi became independent in 1962. Since then, it has faced some difficulties with ethnic tensions. Even with efforts for peace and help from other countries, Burundi is still working to become a stable and prosperous nation. Today, it is one of the world's poorest countries, but it continues to move forward.

Government

Main articles: Politics of Burundi and Elections in Burundi

Burundi has a presidential system. The president is both the head of state and government. The country has many political parties. Its parliament has two parts: the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly has 170 members. The Senate has fifty-one members. Laws are made by these groups. They also help choose the president. The president serves a five-year term.

Burundi is divided into provinces, communes, and hills. It used to have eighteen provinces. In 2025, this changed to five provinces: Buhumuza, Bujumbura, Burunga, Butanyerera and Gitega. These provinces are split into smaller areas called communes, zones, and hills.

Human rights

See also: Human rights in Burundi and LGBT rights in Burundi

In 2009, Burundi changed its laws about same-sex relationships. This made some groups unhappy, like Amnesty International. They felt it did not match Burundi’s rules or agreements with other countries.

Burundi also left the International Criminal Court in 2017. This was after the United Nations had worries about how people were being treated in the country. Even after leaving, Burundi was asked to improve how it treated people, like journalists.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Burundi and Climate of Burundi

Burundi is a small country in East Africa with no oceans or seas nearby. It is part of the Albertine Rift and rests on a gentle, rolling plateau. Burundi is next to Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and southeast, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The highest point in Burundi is Mount Heha, and it also shares the edge of Lake Tanganyika to the southwest.

Burundi has two national parks: Kibira National Park and Ruvubu National Park. These parks help keep the country's animals and nature safe. But illegal logging and farming can hurt the forests and animals.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Burundi

See also: List of companies based in Burundi

Burundi is a small country with few natural resources and a weak economy. Most people work in farming. Farming makes up half of the country’s money from goods and services. Burundi sells coffee and tea to other countries. Many families grow food just for themselves, but sometimes they do not have enough because there are too many people and unclear rules about land.

Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Many families do not have much money, and many children do not get enough food. The country depends on help from other nations. It also faces problems like changing rules that make it hard for new businesses to grow. Burundi joined a group of nearby countries called the East African Community in 2009 to help increase trade.

Currency

Burundi’s money is called the Burundian franc. It is controlled by the country’s central bank, the Bank of the Republic of Burundi.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Burundi

Burundi does not have many good roads or ways to travel. The main airport, Bujumbura International Airport, has only a few flights. There are some buses and a ferry that connect Burundi to nearby places, but travel can be difficult. There are plans to build railways in the future to connect Burundi to other countries.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Burundi and Languages of Burundi

Burundi is a country in East Africa with over 12 million people. Most people live in villages rather than cities. The country has three main groups of people: the Hutu are the largest group, followed by the Tutsi, and a smaller group called the Twa.

The main languages in Burundi are Kirundi, French, and English. Almost everyone speaks Kirundi, and some also speak French. Many people in Burundi are Christian, and some follow traditional beliefs. A few people practice Islam. Health issues are common, and some children get sick with diseases like malaria and diarrhoea.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Burundi, Tourism in Burundi, and Music of Burundi

Burundi's culture is full of traditions and arts. Traditional meals often include sweet potatoes, corn, rice, and peas, with meat eaten only sometimes. Burundians share a special beer called impeke from a large container to show unity at gatherings.

Music and dance are important at celebrations. The Royal Drummers of Burundi are known for their traditional drumming and dances like the abatimbo. Other popular activities include basketball, track and field, martial arts, and the game of association football. The country also celebrates Christian holidays like Christmas and its Independence Day on July 1st.

Media

See also: Mass media in Burundi

Education

Main article: Education in Burundi

Burundi has made progress in education. Many young people can read and write, and the country has a public university and several museums. Schools help children learn and grow, with some support from other countries.

Science and technology

Burundi is working to improve its research and technology. Scientists focus on health issues and diseases in the region. The country has a small but growing group of researchers and is trying to publish more studies and work with scientists from other nations.